Dream the impossible dream

By Bill Fox/Columnist

Recently a dear friend, Dave Hoover, impressed me by reciting from memory the words from the song, “To Dream the Impossible Dream” from the movie Man of La Mancha. It took me back to memories of a man disillusioned with the world so he retreated into an imaginary world and adopted the persona of Don Quixote de la Mancha, who goes in search of wrongs to right, causes to champion and Damsels to rescue. He knows he is doomed to fail as the ideals he strives for are unattainable but believes the world will be a better place for his trying.

The song talks about following your dreams that seem like they would never be achievable, to do what’s right and to be willing to go through hell itself in order to reach your ultimate goal which is referred to as the unreachable star. From my point of view, today we need more dreamers and less “Grumpy Gills” and “Debbie Downers.” My hope is that maybe we could all once again follow the suggestions in this epic tune:

To dream the impossible dream, To fight the unbeatable foe,
To bear with unbearable sorrow, To run where the brave dare not go.

To right the unrightable wrong, To be better far than you are,
To try when your arms are too weary, To reach the unreachable star.

This is my quest, To follow that star
No matter how hopeless, No matter how far.

To fight for the right, Without question or pause,
To be willing to march, Into hell for a heavenly cause.

And I know if I’ll only be true, To this glorious quest
That my heart will be peaceful and calm, When I’m laid to my rest.

And the world will be better for this, That one man scorned and covered with scars
Still strove with his last ounce of courage. To fight the unbeatable foe.
To reach the unreachable star.

I truly believe we need more dreamers and less apathy in our society today. It always bothers me when folks respond to high gas prices or other concerns with, “Well, what can you do?” There is always something we can do and nothing is impossible, as these quotes reflect:

“Impossible is just a big word thrown around by small men.” Eric Thomas

“The difference between the impossible and the possible lies in a person’s determination.” Tommy Lasorda

“There is nothing impossible to him who will try.” Alexander The Great

“Nothing is impossible when you believe.” Anonymous

“The impossible is often the untried.” Jim Goodwin

“It always seems impossible until it’s done.” Nelson Mandela

“Impossible is just an opinion.” Paulo Coelho

“What we need is more people who specialize in the impossible.” Theodore Roethke

“Dream as big as you can dream, and anything is possible.” Michael Phelps

“When nothing is sure, everything is possible.” Margaret Drabble

“Faith makes all things possible. Love makes all things easy.” Anonymous

“Once you choose hope, anything is possible.” Anonymous

“With self-discipline anything is possible.” Theodore Roosevelt

“Dare to believe that good things are possible when you follow your heart.” Bryant H. McGill

“With God all things are possible.” Anonymous

“Impossible is a word to be found only in the dictionary of fools.” Napoleon Bonaparte

“Alice: This is impossible. The Mad Hatter: Only if you believe it is.” Alice In Wonderland

“Many of the things that seem impossible now will become realities of tomorrow.” Walt Disney

“Virtually nothing is impossible in this world if you just put your mind to it and maintain a positive attitude.” Lou Holtz

“I am always doing things I cannot do. That is how I get to do them.” Pablo Picasso

“Without faith, nothing is possible. With it, nothing is impossible.” Mary McLeod Bethune
“You must find the place inside yourself where nothing is impossible.” Deepak Chopra

I have faith that better days are ahead. Hoping you agree, I’m at bdfox@rogers.com.